In various aspects, the disclosure provides user equipment (UE) capable of conducting a public land mobile network (PLMN) search by determining a paging schedule for a serving cell of the UE, the serving cell being associated with a first PLMN and the paging schedule defining one or more paging occasions. The UE may initiate a search for a second PLMN between consecutive paging occasions, and may read information blocks on a broadcast channel of a cell of the second PLMN. The UE may discontinue reading a partially-read information block when the partially-read information block is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with a paging occasion on the serving cell if the partially-read information block does not include information for identifying the second PLMN. The UE may ignore the first paging occasion when the partially-read information block includes the information for identifying the second PLMN.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of conducting a public land mobile network (PLMN) search, comprising: determining a paging schedule for a serving cell of a user equipment, the serving cell being associated with a first PLMN, wherein the paging schedule defines one or more paging occasions; initiating a search for a second PLMN between consecutive paging occasions; reading a master information block (MIB) on a broadcast channel of a cell of the second PLMN; reading, by the user equipment, at least a portion of a system information block (SIB) on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN based on scheduling information provided in the MIB; discontinuing reading of a partially-read SIB when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with a first paging occasion of the one or more paging occasions and the partially-read SIB does not comprise information for identifying the second PLMN; and ignoring the first paging occasion when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the first paging occasion and the partially-read SIB comprises the information for identifying the second PLMN.
A mobile phone (UE) searches for other networks (PLMNs) while connected to its current network. It figures out when it expects to receive paging messages from the current network. Between those expected paging times, it searches for another network. While searching, it reads the other network's broadcast channel for network information (MIB and SIB). If the phone is interrupted by a paging occasion on the serving network and the SIB being read doesn't yet identify the second network, the phone stops reading it to receive the page. However, if the phone is interrupted and the SIB *does* identify the second network, the phone ignores the paging occasion and continues to read the SIB.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first PLMN is a visited PLMN, and wherein determining the paging schedule comprises receiving system information while the user equipment is camped on the serving cell.
The mobile phone searches for a home network (PLMN) while connected to a visited network (PLMN). While connected to the visited network, the phone receives system information which includes the paging schedule. The mobile phone figures out when it expects to receive paging messages from the serving (visited) network by reading system information it receives while camped on that serving cell.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the search for the second PLMN is initiated to find a home PLMN.
The mobile phone searches for a home network (PLMN) while connected to a visited network (PLMN), as described in the previous claim. The phone is attempting to find its home network when initiating this search for a second network, while camping on a visited network.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the partially-read SIB comprises a SIB-1 or a SIB-3.
The partially-read SIB (System Information Block) that the mobile phone is reading when a paging occasion occurs is either a SIB-1 or a SIB-3. These SIBs are specific types of system information blocks that provide essential network parameters, and are referred to in the main claim describing the network search method of the mobile phone.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein discontinuing reading of the partially-read SIB comprises: storing in a storage medium at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN; and receiving a page from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium.
When the mobile phone stops reading a partially-read SIB to receive a page, it first saves the already received MIB (Master Information Block) and/or SIBs from the second network into memory. Then, the mobile phone receives the paging message from the serving cell based on the expected paging occasion. This is made possible by the storing of the partially-read information, and the expected paging time on the serving cell.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: retrieving the at least one of the MIB or the one or more SIBs from the storage medium after receiving the page; and reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the at least one of the MIB or the one or more SIBs from the storage medium.
After the mobile phone receives a page as described in the previous claim, it retrieves the saved MIB (Master Information Block) and/or SIBs from memory. After retrieving, it resumes reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the second network. Thus, the process ensures that the partially-read SIB can be read again without having to start the MIB or SIB from the beginning.
7. The method of claim 1 , and further comprising: storing in a storage medium the MIB received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN when reading of the partially-read SIB is discontinued; receiving a page from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium; retrieving the MIB from the storage medium after receiving the page; and reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the MIB.
When the mobile phone stops reading a partially-read SIB to receive a page, it saves the MIB from the second network into memory. When a paging occasion occurs, the phone receives the paging message from the serving cell. After receiving the page, the phone retrieves the saved MIB from memory and resumes reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the second network, continuing where it left off.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN comprises one or more of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
The information that identifies the second network (PLMN) includes one or more of the following: the Mobile Country Code (MCC), the Mobile Network Code (MNC), or information that identifies the service provider associated with that second network. This information helps the phone to uniquely identify and select the desired network.
9. A user equipment configured for wireless communication, comprising: at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and a wireless communication interface coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to: determine a paging schedule for a serving cell of the user equipment, the serving cell being associated with a first PLMN, wherein the paging schedule defines one or more paging occasions; initiate a search for a second PLMN between consecutive paging occasions; read a master information block (MIB) on a broadcast channel of a cell of the second PLMN; read at least a portion of a system information block (SIB) on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN based on scheduling information provided in the MIB; discontinue reading of a partially-read SIB when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with a first paging occasion of the one or more paging occasions and the partially-read SIB does not comprise information for identifying the second PLMN; and ignore the first paging occasion when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the paging occasion and the partially-read SIB comprises the information for identifying the second PLMN.
A mobile phone (UE) is configured with a processor, memory, and wireless communication interface to search for other networks (PLMNs) while connected to its current network. The processor determines when it expects paging messages from the current network. Between those expected paging times, it searches for another network. While searching, it reads the other network's broadcast channel for network information (MIB and SIB). If the phone is interrupted by a paging occasion and the SIB being read doesn't yet identify the second network, it stops reading to receive the page. If the SIB *does* identify the second network, it ignores the paging occasion.
10. The user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the first PLMN is a visited PLMN, and wherein the search for the second PLMN is initiated to find a home PLMN associated with the user equipment.
The mobile phone, as described previously, searches for a home network (PLMN) while connected to a visited network (PLMN). The search for the second PLMN is specifically initiated to find the home PLMN that is associated with the user equipment.
11. The user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN includes information provided in a SIB-1 or a SIB-3.
The information that identifies the second network (PLMN), as described in the mobile phone configuration, is contained within a SIB-1 or a SIB-3. These specific system information blocks include parameters enabling the identification of the desired network.
12. The user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to: store at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs in the memory before discontinuing reading of the partially-read SIB when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the paging occasion; and receive a page from the serving cell after storing the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs in the memory.
The mobile phone's processor, before stopping to read a partially-read SIB because of a paging occasion, stores the already received MIB and/or SIBs in its memory. The phone then receives a paging message from the serving cell after the MIB and/or SIBs are stored in the memory.
13. The user equipment of claim 12 , the at least one processor is configured to: retrieve the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs from the memory after receiving the page; and read the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell corresponding to the second PLMN after retrieving the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs.
This invention relates to user equipment (UE) in wireless communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of efficiently accessing system information from multiple public land mobile networks (PLMNs) during a paging procedure. The UE is configured to handle system information broadcasts from different PLMNs, particularly when transitioning between networks or during a paging event. The UE includes at least one processor and memory storing system information such as a master information block (MIB) and system information blocks (SIBs). Upon receiving a page, the UE retrieves the MIB or one or more SIBs from memory. If a SIB was only partially read during a previous broadcast, the UE reads the remaining portion of that SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell corresponding to the second PLMN. This ensures the UE has complete system information for the target network without redundant or unnecessary data retrieval, optimizing power consumption and reducing latency. The invention improves network handover and paging efficiency by leveraging stored system information and selectively completing partial reads of SIBs.
14. The user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the at least one processor is configured to: store in a storage medium the MIB received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN when reading of the partially-read SIB is discontinued; receive a page from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium; retrieve the MIB from the storage medium after receiving the page; and read the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the MIB.
The mobile phone stores the received MIB from the second network into its memory before a paging occasion interrupts the reading of a SIB. The phone then receives a page from the serving cell. Following reception of the page, the saved MIB is retrieved from the memory. The phone resumes reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the second network after the MIB is retrieved.
15. The user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN comprises one or more of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
In the mobile phone described, the information identifying the second network (PLMN) includes one or more of the following: Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), or information identifying the service provider associated with the second PLMN.
16. An apparatus comprising a user equipment configured for wireless communication, wherein the user equipment comprises: means for determining a paging schedule for a serving cell of the user equipment, the serving cell being associated with a first PLMN, wherein the paging schedule defines one or more paging occasions; means for initiating a search for a second PLMN between consecutive paging occasions; means for reading a master information block (MIB) on a broadcast channel of a cell of the second PLMN and for reading at least one system information block (SIB) on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN based on scheduling information provided in the MIB; means for identifying whether a partially-read SIB comprises information for identifying the second PLMN; and means for determining whether to discontinue reading of a partially-read SIB in order to receive a page, wherein reading of the partially-read SIB is discontinued when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with a first paging occasion of the one or more paging occasions and the partially-read SIB does not comprise the information for identifying the second PLMN, and the first paging occasion is ignored when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the paging occasion and the partially-read SIB comprises the information for identifying the second PLMN.
A mobile phone includes components ("means") that allow it to search for other networks (PLMNs) while connected to its current network. These components include means for: determining a paging schedule; initiating a PLMN search; reading MIB and SIB information; identifying the second PLMN; and deciding whether to interrupt reading a SIB to receive a page. If the SIB being read doesn't yet identify the second network and a paging occasion occurs, the reading is discontinued. If the SIB *does* identify the second network, the paging occasion is ignored.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first PLMN is a visited PLMN, and wherein the search for the second PLMN is initiated to find a home PLMN associated with the user equipment.
The mobile phone (apparatus), as described previously, searches for a home network (PLMN) while connected to a visited network (PLMN). The search for the second PLMN is initiated specifically to find the user equipment's home PLMN.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN includes information provided in a SIB-1 or a SIB-3.
The information that identifies the second network (PLMN) in the mobile phone (apparatus), as described previously, is provided in either a SIB-1 or a SIB-3.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising: means for storing at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs in a memory of the apparatus before discontinuing reading of the partially-read SIB when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the paging occasion, wherein a page is received from the serving cell after storing the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs in the memory.
The mobile phone (apparatus) also includes a component ("means") for storing the MIB and/or SIBs in memory before discontinuing reading of the partially-read SIB. This allows the phone to then receive a page from the serving cell after the MIB and SIB information is stored in memory.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising: means for retrieving the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs from the memory after receiving the page, wherein the partially-read SIB is read on the broadcast channel of the cell corresponding to the second PLMN after retrieving the at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs.
The mobile phone (apparatus) further includes a component ("means") for retrieving the stored MIB and/or SIBs from memory after receiving a page. The phone resumes reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the second network after this retrieval process.
21. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising: means for storing in a storage medium the MIB received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN when reading of the partially-read SIB is discontinued, wherein a page is received from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium; and means for retrieving the MIB from the storage medium after receiving the page, wherein the partially-read SIB is read on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the MIB.
The mobile phone (apparatus) includes components for storing the MIB from the second network, and retrieving it after a paging occasion. When reading of a SIB is interrupted by a paging occasion, the MIB is stored. The phone then receives a page. After receiving the page, the stored MIB is retrieved and the partially-read SIB is read again.
22. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN comprises one or more of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
The information identifying the second network (PLMN) in the mobile phone (apparatus) comprises one or more of the following: a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising code for: determining a paging schedule for a serving cell of a user equipment, the serving cell being associated with a first PLMN, wherein the paging schedule defines one or more paging occasions; initiating a search for a second PLMN between consecutive paging occasions; reading a master information block (MIB) on a broadcast channel of a cell of the second PLMN; reading, by the user equipment, at least a portion of a system information block (SIB) on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN based on scheduling information provided in the MIB; discontinuing reading of a partially-read SIB when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with a first paging occasion of the one or more paging occasions and the partially-read SIB does not comprise information for identifying the second PLMN; and ignoring the first paging occasion when the partially-read SIB is scheduled for transmission at least partially concurrently with the first paging occasion and the partially-read SIB comprises the information for identifying the second PLMN.
A computer-readable storage medium contains instructions for a mobile phone (UE) to search for other networks (PLMNs) while connected to its current network. The instructions cause the phone to: determine a paging schedule; initiate a PLMN search; read MIB and SIB information; discontinue reading a partially-read SIB to receive a page if the SIB doesn't identify the second network; and ignore the paging occasion if the SIB *does* identify the second network.
24. The storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the first PLMN is a visited PLMN, and wherein determining the paging schedule comprises receiving system information while the user equipment is camped on the serving cell.
The computer-readable storage medium, as described previously, is used when the phone is connected to a visited network (PLMN) and is searching for its home network (PLMN). The determination of the paging schedule involves receiving system information while the phone is camped on the serving cell (visited PLMN).
25. The storage medium of claim 24 , wherein the search for the second PLMN is initiated to find a home PLMN.
The computer-readable storage medium, as described previously, is used when the phone is connected to a visited network (PLMN), and when the search for the second PLMN is initiated specifically to find the home PLMN.
26. The storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the partially-read SIB comprises a SIB-1 or a SIB-3.
The partially-read SIB that the computer-readable storage medium refers to is either a SIB-1 or a SIB-3. These specific system information blocks provide network parameters and enable network identification for the phone.
27. The storage medium of claim 23 , wherein discontinuing reading of the partially-read SIB comprises: storing in a storage medium at least one of the MIB or one or more SIBs received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN; and receiving a page from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium.
The instructions on the computer-readable storage medium specify that discontinuing reading a partially-read SIB involves storing the already-received MIB and/or SIBs from the second network. The phone receives a page based on the paging occasion and the stored MIB/SIBs.
28. The storage medium of claim 23 , further comprising code for: retrieving the at least one of the MIB or the one or more SIBs from the storage medium after receiving the page; and reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the at least one of the MIB or the one or more SIBs from the storage medium.
The instructions on the computer-readable storage medium further specify that the stored MIB and/or SIBs are retrieved after receiving a page. After the MIB and SIB are retrieved, the process of reading the partially-read SIB on the second network is resumed.
29. The storage medium of claim 23 , and further comprising code for: storing in a storage medium the MIB received from the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN when reading of the partially-read SIB is discontinued; receiving a page from the serving cell based on the first paging occasion and on the storing in the storage medium; retrieving the MIB from the storage medium after receiving the page; and reading the partially-read SIB on the broadcast channel of the cell of the second PLMN after retrieving the MIB.
The instructions on the computer-readable storage medium also cause the phone to store the MIB received from the broadcast channel of the second network when SIB reading is discontinued. It then receives a page based on the first paging occasion. After the page is received, the MIB is retrieved, and reading the partially-read SIB resumes.
30. The storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the information for identifying the second PLMN comprises one or more of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
In the computer-readable storage medium, the information for identifying the second PLMN comprises one or more of a mobile country code, a mobile network code, or information identifying a service provider associated with the second PLMN.
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July 3, 2014
June 20, 2017
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